The spire of the Cathedral of St. Joseph--the flagship of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford--is visible from the State Capitol grounds, an added reminder of the power of the Catholic church in Connecticut, home to more than 1.3 million Catholics.
 

For years, the Connecticut Catholic Conference and its leaders, the state's Catholic bishops, have been a powerful lobbying force at the legislature on controversial issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, and more unifying issues such as fighting poverty.

This year the church waged a battle against the so-called "Plan B bill" that deals with emergency contraception for rape victims--and unless something out of the ordinary happens--the church lost.

At issue is legislation that would require all Connecticut hospitals--including Catholic hospitals--to offer emergency contraception to rape victims treated at their emergency rooms--to protect victims of rape from the added trauma of possibly becoming pregnant by their attackers.

Catholic bishops fought against a law requiring dispensing of Plan B because they claim that if a woman is ovulating, the pills could cause an abortion--an act the church vigorously opposes.

The measure failed last year, but proponents brought it back contending that victims of rape deserve "compassionate care" no matter which hospital they are taken to after the attack. Advocates say Catholic hospitals receive state funding and maintain that hospitals are healthcare facilities not churches.

So the "Plan B" bill evolved as an emotional issue pitting women's rights against religious freedom…just the kind of thorny legislation most lawmakers prefer to avoid. Whenever something like this develops, legislators seek a mellow compromise.

They were encouraged when Hartford Archbishop Henry Mansell said the church was willing to negotiate for a resolution of the problem…though he did not use the word compromise.

At about this same time, a key sponsor of the "Plan B" bill, Rep. Deborah Heinrich (D-Madison) revealed at an emotional press conference that she is a victim of rape. The incident occurred years ago in another state. Heinrich said she supports emergency contraception for rape victims in all hospitals because women, traumatized as she was, deserve care not the prospect of being moved from hospital to hospital.

Meetings ensued between the church and the bill's supporters and just when it seemed a compromise was at hand, the bill's backers claimed the church rejected the efforts. Church officials said there was still time to talk.

In rapid succession the State Senate then the House approved the emergency contraception bill with veto-proof majorities in both chambers. The bill does include intended compromise provisions that would allow Catholic hospitals to contract with an independent third party, perhaps a rape crisis nurse, to offer and dispense "Plan B" pills to rape victims.

Republican Gov. Jodi Rell, once had reservations about the bill, but said she will sign it because she believes the bill's supporters made a good faith effort to protect women's rights AND religious freedom.

That feeling seemed to pervade the House and Senate as well. Usually politically-savvy church officials miscalculated lawmakers feelings. Democratic House Speaker James Amann, who voted for the bill, said it's possible the church and the bill's backers could reach some further compromise though he conceded any new talks would be "starting from ground zero."

There were hard feelings on both sides in the negotiations that led to the version of the "Plan B bill" that was approved. With victory at hand for supporters, and the legislature backlogged with other bills as it moves toward its June 6 adjournment, it may truly take a miracle for there to be a plan B for the "Plan B" issue.

 

Posted 5/9/07

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